Harold and Maude
One of my favourite movies of all time is a little diddy called Harold and Maude. Bud Cort stars in this 1971 cult classic as Harold, the 18 yeard old son of a heartless wealthy woman (where the father is we do not know). Harold is completely obsessed with death and the darker sides of life. He stages his own suicide over a dozen times, drives a hearse, and attends funerals for fun. The dude is, to say the least, troubled, bored, and fairly lonely.
Enter Maude, the 79 year old holocaust survivor turned playful peaceful protestor played by Ruth Gordon. Maude enjoys birds, trees, and posing nude for ice sculptures. Maude is Harold’s girlfriend.
Upon hearing the premise of the movie for the first time most people shudder in disgust. People get caught up in the moot details of age difference and are automatically revolted by the thought of the 2 main characters getting it on. As such, most of the people whom I’ve told should watch the movie, don’t. It’s too bad because the movie has great messages about the difference between life and living, how we can all make changes for the better, and that sometimes it takes a bit of effort in order for us to find ourselves.
Harold & Maude is a great story, with great acting, with great costume design and a great way to re-experience the 70′s (or experience for the first time if you missed that entire decade). But the icing on the cake is the unbelievable soundtrack, written and performed entirely by Cat Stevens…which was finally released just a couple months ago.
That’s right – 36 years after the film was released to mixed reviews the official soundtrack was finally released. And only 2,500 copies. And only on vinyl. It’s an absolutely incredible package; a 12″ multi-colored record that’s the actual soundtrack, a 40 page full colour booklet on the making of the film, a hot pink 7″, 2 rather large posters, and a copy of Cat Stevens’ (aka Yusuf Islam) lyrics for a couple of the tracks. 40$ + 36 years = 1 great package. And it sounds great!
That all being said – why 36 years? Since this movie came out the director Hal Ashby and star Ruth Gordon both passed away; Cat Stevens turned to Islam and retitled himself Yusuf, called for the Death of John Ralston Saul, only to re-emerge 30 years later under the monicer familiar Cat Stevens brand and put out a new album. 7 years passed after the release of the movie before I was even born. I’m now 29.
For whatever the reason it matter not. The package is excellent, the movie still rocks my boat, and Cat Stevens still pens a great tune. 1 out of 1 Baldwins agree – The Harold and Maude Official Soundtrack is fantastic.
